Recently I saw another woodworking or turning make some hand mirrows. I thought they were pretty neat so I decided to give it a try.

 

This is the results of my mirrow turnings.

 

 

This one is white maple.

 

 

I made another one from Walnut with a maple insert in the back.

 

 

 

 

And then I turned one out of Cherry.

 

 

 

So anyone else out there turning anything?

 

I turned these using a Bowl gouge for the back and a spindle gouge for the side of the mirrow and the handle. Both gouges were 1/2"

 

So come on turners share what you are doing.

 

John

 

www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

 

 

Hey John, how long does it take to be able to master the technique of turning small stock without sending it into oblivion smashing against the wall behind the lathe? Seems to me the smaller stuff would be more difficult than turning something of mass. Maybe Joshua can chime in here too.

It really doesn't take that long. Last year we (LOML, my youngest son and myself) went to The Woodworking Show in Nashville TN. At that time I had only turned the legs to the kitchen island I had built. They were letting you turn a pen at the show so I did. I was hooked at that point. My wife and son both turned their own pen at the show.

My son has really enjoyed turning as he has turned several deer and duck calls as well as some pens. He is very talented with it, just can't get him to turn enough.

My wife said she turned one and that was enough for her right now. She loves to see things that have been turned, but she isn't really interested in turning right now.

Wife and I attend the Tenn. Turning Symposium in January in Nashville, She had a great time watching some of the really good turners presenting and making it look so easy.

The main thing is to have good sharp tools, relax and turn at a speed that is comfortable for you. Slow starting out is usually better.

John

I might have to stay away from pens then!!!! Once I get a hold of something I love, it's not easy for me to break away from! Never was lucky enough to try crack, but I know how addicting a good whiskey is!

Joshua D. Rollins said: Turning pens is the closest thing to what I would imagine crack to be like, the only down side is that I haven't really had much time to work on anything else.